I add some grated Parmesan, red pepper flakes & garlic.

It's the olive oil!!....Buy a wonderful dark green mild and fruity oil and it won't be bitter.
Pompeian is the worst!
I just pour a little oil onto a plate and add some black pepper....or some garlic powder and crushes oragano too.

Linda C

You definitely need a best quality extra virgin olive oil for dipping.

If you live anywhere near a Trader Joe's or TJ Maxx you can get GOOD evoo for almost nothing.

I do have a TJ Maxx...

And I was too embarrassed to ask if it might be the olive oil!!!

*what's 'evoo'?*

This is more like a spread, but great with crusty breads.
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled finely
1 clove garlic, chopped finely
1/4 red bell pepper, chopped finely
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
sprinkle of crushed chili flakes to taste
olive oil to coat

For dipping I like a nice rosemary foccaccia with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

JoAnne, "evoo" stands for extra virgin olive oil. I definitely agree with everybody that if it's bitter, its the oil.

We like Carapelli Premium evoo from the supermarket for dipping. We both like it plain with some cracked black pepper or sometimes just some crushed dried (or fresh) rosemary in it too. Sometimes I load it up with minced garlic and whatever fresh herbs I have in the house and some crushed red pepper and that's great too.

We also like Carapelli EVOO. I like to add salt and fresh cracked pepper to it also but my favorite is to add home-made basil pesto to it. In fact, that's what we had last night along with blackened halibut and roasted asparagus. Makes a great "side dish".

Marilyn

I like a little blue cheese dressing on one plate and mix evoo and red wine vinegar on another plate. Dip the bread into the blue cheese and then into the evoo and vinegar.

Serve with fresh-baked bread for dipping.
Garlic Oil Copyright, 2004, Ina Garten, All Rights Reserved
Ingredients
6 garlic cloves, peeled
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
In a small saucepan, bring the garlic and oil to a boil, then turn the heat to low, and cook
for 5 minutes, until the garlic is lightly browned. Turn off the heat and set aside. The garlic will continue to
cook.
Remove the garlic cloves from the oil and slice them. Place them in a bowl and pour the oil over them.
Herbed Oil For Dipping Bread like Carrabba's®
1 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried rosemary
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. parsley flakes
1 tsp. granulated garlic
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 - 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Combine all ingredients, except oil, on a deep plate or bowl.
Pour olive oil over.

California Oil Sauce
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. dried parsley
1/4 tsp. dried marjoram
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
-Puree ingredients in a blender and store in a small covered jar.
-Brush oil sauce on pizza dough, sprinkle on desired cheese, and then top.

Southwestern Oil Sauce
1/4 cup salad oil
2 cloves garlic
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
-Puree ingredients in a blender and store in a small covered jar.
-Brush oil sauce on dough, sprinkle on desired cheese, and then top.
Cook just like sauced pizzas, but they may take just a little less time until done.

I've often looked at the oils at TJMaxx, just don't know which ones are good and which ones aren't. How do you know which ones to buy?

The greener the better, as far as I'm concerned.